So many rumors had been in the newspapers respecting you that your kind letter of March 27th brought a relief to my mind, for notwithstanding the somewhat melancholy tone in which it was written, there was an assurance that yon were still able to write, as of old, and I cannot help feeling that the winter over, Spring will bring to you new life. Victor Hugo surely is older than you, is he not? Yet how he bears up even under his terrible family griefs. - Many thanks for your kind words to me on my marriage. Could you but see my beautiful wife and my cosy quarters you would not wonder at my happiness, and would understand how much less I think of visiting Europe, and seeing you in Copenhagen than I once did when I was a bachelor!

I carried your letter to Longfellow who is a near neighbor of mine and we read it together. He wishes his very kind remembrances sent you. He is well and hearty. Would that we might oftener hear from him! What a Story of My Life he also might write. We looked at your photographs and then I sent them to the two young ladies whom you gladdened much by the kind and thoughtful present.

I wish that I might write more encouraging news respecting Mit Livs Eventyr. Our half yearly accounts will show you that we dispose of the edition but slowly. We still have on hand enough copies of the present edition to last a year or two and we should not find it prudent to throw them aside for a more correct edition, when the corrections are not of great importance. We never made up another volume of Lykke Peer for the reason that our volumes are uniform in size and the story with other short ones uncollected, would not suffice for a volume.

Have you collected and published any volumes in Copenhagen since Lykke Peer? It is the latest that I have. Vol. XXXII was indeed the latest properly published that came to me, for Lykke Peer came in sheets, without cover. You once said something of sending me your portrait-bust in bisque. I do not like to ask too many favors, but if you have an opportunity to send, be sure that I shall receive it most gratefully.

May the summer bring you health and great enjoyment of your friends. Pray let me hear from you again. My wife joins me in cordial greeting, and your publishers desire their kind remembrance.